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Former Gov. Don Siegelman, (D-Ala.), on his re-sentencing for bribery charges over political contributions by Richard Scrushy
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-- to go to governor Siegelman to react.
Through this.
Stuff in a very good to have you.
Oh thank you deal -- certain you could be nine days away from realizing you're going back to jail.
-- -- a.
Well I guess you.
First relative to apologize to the people of Alabama for the embarrassment that this is because them and of course in my family.
This this process.
Has been going on for a long time that has -- both personally and financially devastating.
I've lost -- law license.
I've lost my ability to earn an income to support my family in large part I'm lost most of my assets.
Lost I guess forever is my reputation.
Not write about it and the convicted felon.
And then now -- about to go back for re sentencing so.
It's it is very frightening it has been it has been frightening and I guess how we look forward to and this is over.
The governor -- more than a hundred.
Attorneys general wrote on your behalf.
There is no clear understanding.
About what constitutes.
A bride and and and -- and what is the difference is even normal contribution.
In the course of events for a business.
Where you exacted no financial gain.
And we're -- -- -- got no financial reward.
And yet he went to jail for a long time you potentially could go back to jail for a long time.
And you don't even have a profit off of this alleged crime and which is normally.
The stuff you'd look for that to me -- that level alone seems unfair.
Well.
The George will I think said it best in his recent article in the Washington Post when he said that the law is so unclear.
That it puts both contributors and candidates and apparel.
There aren't there the law is different.
In different circuits around the United States.
Some circuits say there has to be an express agreement between two people you know bright -- he says this -- how did you -- appeal appointment.
And I agree -- that that's clearly it was.
And I like that here governor was there any quid pro quo or you you -- -- -- -- -- through -- at the time.
Or your people had to -- a half -- may have dollars sides of this cause.
The media spreads being that it would put you wouldn't good being in good stead this is currency with the governor.
Men and you can get a seat on this council.
On this board.
Where where your company would would would maybe get favorable treatment all implied all inferred.
Is any of that right.
Well.
-- -- and and Richard and never had a conversation but.
The the problem in this case was it is the first case in the United States where someone has been put in present.
Where there has been no money exchange I think I didn't profit that in there wasn't any allegation that I got a single penny did you -- yeah.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Obviously mister Scrooge would probably regret writing out a check for -- but what what -- well.
Well if what if we -- the law was gonna be changed so that juries could be infer.
From circumstantial evidence that like that a crime was committed Bennett of course neither one of -- -- come near.
But you know at this at the time that most people as soon that the law was that they had to be a deal they had to be an agreement.
And that private occasions.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Well there might have been held event or at least no business today for mr.
-- see -- -- -- nods and then that.
I might not get favorable treatment within your state that was -- -- they could never really prove that presented what -- they kind of left that perception floating out there.
Well I think they've made that argument to the jury that he had gotten on the board took to profit right right from from this but.
The eleven Circuit Court of Appeals threw out those two charges against -- discouraging so.
-- He he was here he didn't profit personally anyway and I I certainly didn't profit but the danger here -- is it is.
Not just that they can put me in jail and registrations -- they can put any contributor and any candidate in present.
Based on an inference that a jury might be able to draw.
Just from the circumstances.
That there was a deal.
And he had given the proclivity of people don't think that politicians are -- anyway.
It doesn't take much for a -- prosecutor to get a conviction.
Well you know you can run on appearances all the time -- -- -- I guess -- -- -- why wonder why the Supreme Court left it alone is that here's a court that ruled on Citizens United and and and and big money coming.
-- campaigns are perfectly okay with that.
And then turning a blind -- of course not -- -- the sequence right but turning a blind sided as I guess the bigger question for you -- Do you think you've got different treatment and then dad.
Proceed to lapse in in your stage in your case -- discourage these days.
Is one thing.
Letting everyone go in other such cases is another thing.
Well that's -- again it's the first case in history where someone has been sent to prison for contribution to an issue advocacy campaign.
Where there was no allegation that -- money went into my pocket.
But it's very dangerous precedent -- governor right I mean -- taking sides here but you you could argue that anyone giving money to any candidate right now as we speak.
It is already campaigns.
It took -- -- like them in the highly when all of a sudden someone could George well.
By inference that it did with something that's artists going.
It any of these bottlers are rising 500000 dollars for the president and then.
-- appointed as an ambassador are subject to being prosecuted it.
Because well at least under this ruling it only takes an inference the jury is can't infer from the facts and circumstances.
That there was a deal Monday.
Even though there's no testimony no evidence that there was an express.
Communication between the candidate -- the contributor regarding this subject at all.
Normally governor what I'd like Xeon -- Perry -- here but unless they get argue with a briefcase full of -- the hundred dollar bills.
I don't -- doesn't seem like I got an -- but it is what it is we wish you well -- -- nine days from now governor will be following very closely.
Thank you very much real appreciation let me ownership -- --
